Rutgers women’s basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer was not at the Louis Brown Athletic
Center Friday morning. She was attending the funeral of her good friend Kay Yow, the long-time
North Carolina State coach who passed away earlier this week.

Associate head coach Carlene Mitchell ran practice. She said that in her eight years here,
Stringer had never missed a full practice. Late maybe, had-to-leave-early maybe, but never an
entire practice.

The changes were both obvious and subtle.

For one thing, the typical three-hour practice lasted only two hours and 15 minutes. For
another, there was a more relaxed atmosphere afterward, a different vibe as players lingered
either shooting around or just hanging out.

That is not to suggest that practice was a playground.

“”I’m the same person as I am when she is here,” Mitchell said. “”I know kids are kids,
though, but they know better than to test me.”

So much for the milk and cookies break.

“”I told them I ain’t been here for eight years for no reason,” she said, breaking into a
smile. “”They knew not to come in and act crazy.”

Especially the freshmen.

April Sykes, still perspiring, stopped shooting 3-pointers for a moment when asked if
practice was different.

“”Well, yeah, I guess. It was like, “we done, we over.’ We knew we’d get out on time,” she
said in her Mississippi drawl. “”Coach “Mitch’ is the same, but like she’s a little more
patient. Coach Stringer has no patience. I’m always anxious and excited to be in the gym, but
I guess I was a little more calm, without the big-dog eyes on me.”

The big dog will be coaching Saturday against South Florida, starting at at 2 p.m.

For older players like junior Brittany Ray, Stringer’s absence took on a more profound
effect.

“”I’ve been here three years and she’s never missed a practice, so it was kind of different
not having her. She’s always constantly talking, and not to hear her voice was just like,
“Wow. She’s not here. For real.’ But we still went through the same stuff and whatever. Coach
Mitchell is just as talkative and enthusiastic as coach Stringer. I would say that coach
Mitchell is a disciple of coach Stringer.”

Chelsea Newton played for Stringer from 2001-05, arriving at Rutgers the same year as
Mitchell. Newton, taking time off between WNBA seasons, happened to be at practice Thursday.

“”Practice wasn’t different,” said Newton, more than qualified to make the assessment.
“”Coach Mitchell has turned into a clone of coach Stringer anyway. She knows the system like
the back of her hand as well. Whether she’s out here with coach Stringer or by herself, she’s
the same.”

The Scarlet Knights know can not afford to lose this home game, and are certainly aware of
what awaits on Tuesday: unbeaten and No. 1 Connecticut.

“”Our kids are smart enough to know that we still have to prepare,” offered second-year
assistant coach Tasha Pointer, who played for Stringer between 1997-2001. “”They wanted to get
in and get out. So, “be sharp, get in, get out.’

“”So that’s why you see everyone just hanging out. But I think at the end of the day that
Notre Dame game really helped us, in terms of confidence and our spirit,” she said, alluding
to the road win on Tuesday. “”So now everyone’s loose. Even (Thursday) with coach Stringer
everybody was loose, because we finally found out who we are.””